Hi Honey, I'm Home!!!
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Nov 20, 2007 3:19 am
Mood: Totally Excited!,
1025 Views
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God is SO Awesome!!!
Hello family at Big Church!!
What a wonderful weekend!!! God blessed us with everything we did!!
We arrived in Homestead Friday afternoon and went right to the track. I like to get my shopping out of the way before raceday, and shopping, I did! lol.
I managed to fill my biggest suitcase 2 times, adding about 60 cars to my collection, (except for the 11 my grandson claimed for his own, lol.) there are souvineir trailers for every driver, manufacturer trailers, (Ford, Chevrolet, Dodge, and Toyota) sponsor trailers, and Official NASCAR trailers. It took about 4 hours, then we headed for our resort, at Key Largo.
The resort was beautiful, situated on the water, across from another resort, where we had live entertainment, nightly, right from our patio.
Saturday, we were up early, packed a picnic, and decided to go to Key West. On the way, we stopped at a state park, and had lunch. It was so breathtaking, the beaches, the view of the Atlantic Ocean, and the ONLY state park, in the United States, that is underwater. There is a Christ statue, that you can snorkel or scuba dive, to see, and it is amazing! From there, we went to a favorite place of ours, to feed the tarpon. You buy buckets of pinfish, and go out on a large dock, where thousands of huge tarpon, some as big as 7 feet long, gather, waiting to be fed. They will even come up out of the water to take the fish, it was a blast.
Then, on to Key West, and you have to go over The 7 Mile Bridge, which is literally 7 miles long, with no land in sight, except for a few unpopulated islands. The awesome wonder of God's creation is seen everywhere in the Keys, and I just basked in it all weekend.
Once in Key West, we parked and walked around, went to Ripley's Believe It or Not, had ice cream, and began the journey back, where we timed it perfectly, and enjoyed a beautiful sunset, coming over the 7 Mile Bridge, absolutely stunning! The colors were so bright and vivid, red, orange, purple, and blue, the sky was lit up with color! (Did I say God is awesome?!) We stopped at our favorite restaurant for dinner, where I had fresh Dolphin, (no, it's not a porpoise, it's a kind of fish, lol) and a homemade seafood bisque, that knocked my socks off! It was exquisite!
Finally, Sunday was Raceday, and we left early, as there are 190,000 people attending, traffic is heavy, and there's so much to do at the track.
There are live tv show tapings, where you can be in the audience, autograph signing sessions, for many drivers, sponsor hospitality tents and activities, show cars on exhibit, concerts, pit crew challenges, and simulators. It could take you the whole 3 days to do everything. And the unique thing about NASCAR, as compared with other sports, is that it is fan-friendly, you can bring a cooler, with your own drinks, and also bring your own food. What I don't spend on food and drinks, I can use the money to buy more racecars, lol.
We finally made our way to our seats, about 2:30, and the opening ceremonies were excellent. Skydivers, jet fighters fly overhead, Rudy Julianni was there, driver introductions, where each driver goes around the track, in the back of a truck, and waves to the fans, the flag presentation, where they pull a gigantic American flag, by truck, that was at least 40 feet by 100 feet, around the track. Then, the opening prayer and the singing of the National Anthem, which my 5 year old grandson knows every word, and finally, the most famous words, "Gentlemen, start your engines" and the roar of 43 racecars, you can feel with every cell in your body. After a couple of pace laps, warming up the engines, cleaning off the tires, the green flag was dropped. All 190,000 fans, on their feet, no seat was occupied, excitement filled the crowd, and the stadium beneath your feet, literally vibrates from the sound. You spend $100 for a seat, that you rarely sit in.
It was a good race, but not very many crashes, (I live for the crashes! lol) Matt Kenseth dominated and won the race, and Jimmy Johnson, ended up winning the championship, much to the dismay of my son, who wanted his favorite driver, Jeff Gordon, to win. After the race was an excellent fireworks display, and the winner of the race, and the winner of the championship, were both on the track, burning rubber and doing donuts, the smoke was so thick, you couldn't see, and the smell of rubber permeated the air. It was some celebration!
The entire weekend was excellent, and I praised God and thanked Him, continuously, for the opportunity to experience this every year, for the past 10 years.
Now, no more racing until February, extreme withdrawal will kick in by this coming weekend, I will have to settle for football until then. hahaha
PS, do you know what racecar spelled backwards is?
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Hi Ho, Hi Ho, Off to the Race I Go!!
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Nov 15, 2007 12:35 pm
Mood: ecstatic,
1141 Views
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Goodbye, Big Church!!
I am so excited Big Church! My adrenaline is pumping and I can hardly contain myself! Before sunrise, tomorrow, I will be heading to the Homestead-Miami Speedway for the final race of the season, the championship race. I can't wait! Have been looking forward to this day since back in March, when I purchased the tickets. Did I say I was excited? I am pumped! We'll be staying in a townhouse in Key Largo.
(calmed down a little, NOT!) I know you see my screen name as "racefan", but that doesn't adequately describe it really. It should read "racefan-atic"! Because I am a little (alot) fanatical about racing. I know that most of you are not race fans, but I had to share my excitement with someone, and who better than my family here at Big Church?
It all started in 1990, when I decided to go to a local racetrack on a Saturday night, for something different to do. Little did I know, at the time, that it was the beginning of a life-long passion. At intermission, I went to the gift shop and bought my first pack of racing cards, for $1. When I opened it, I discovered a Richard Petty card that was valued at $50!! Little did I know, at the time, that was the beginning of quite an extensive collection, which currently consists of over 3000 die cast cars, still in their original packages, over 150,000 racing cards, at last count, in 1995, can't imagine how many now, and over a hundred posters, many from the '80s and very rare. For the most challenging thing to collect, I decided to collect uncut sheets of racing card sets, before they're cut and put into packs. I have 88 of them, each framed and hanging on my walls.
In addition, (do you really need to hear anymore? lol) my whole house is racing. Everything is black and white (for the checkered flag) and have black and white tile floors, black ceiling fans, a/c vents, doors, baseboards, frames, windchimes, and curtains. Do you have any idea how hard it is to find black toilet seats? I have 2 large shelves in the living room, with about 300 of my most valuable cars on them. They are on each side of my 57" HD widescreen tv that I bought just for watching the races.
Want more? In the mid "90s, I opened a little racing store, called "The Checkered Flag". The county would not allow me to put up a sign, so the landlord gave me permisiion to paint the entire building black and white checkers. You could spot it from a long distance. Can you imagine doing the thing you love the most, going to all the races, and getting to take a tax deduction for it? (sorry, I'm an accountant and always looking at the tax implications) The tickets, the hotels, the travel expenses and meals, all a write-off! It doesn't get any better than that! I published a monthly newsletter called "Checkered Chit Chat". Perhaps the only regret for ending an 18 year marriage, was having to close the store, and having no one to go to races with anymore.
Wait, wait, don't leave yet, there's still more. My grandson, Zachary, is 5 years old. When he was 2, I bought him his first racecar, a #12 Ryan Newman, Alltel car. By the time he was 4, he knew every driver's full name and car number, there's 43 altogether! This child knows more about NASCAR than most adult racefans. My son says I created a monster in him. I prefer to say "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree", lol. This kid thinks about racing from the time his eyes open until they close again at night. I bought him a Ryan Newman sweatshirt to wear to the race, and gave it to him last night, the first thing he said, after thanking me and giving me a hug, is "look Grammy, the pockets are big enough to fit a bunch of racecars", yes, he even takes them to the race with him, and plays with them on our seats.
So, there you have it, a brief summary of my passion for racing. If there's anyone who would ever like to go to a race, just email me, I will go anywhere in the country! But, beware, if you go to one race, you'll be hooked. To me, there is very little more exciting than 43 cars on a racetrack, going 200 mph, door handle to door handle, bumper to bumper. (they don't really have door handles) When they say those famous words, "Gentlemen, start your engines! (which Zachary can yell the loudest, lol) the sound of those engines roaring, tickles the little hairs in your ears and shakes the concrete under your feet. And the crashes are awesome. The only other things that may be more exciting, and I intend to do them both before I leave this earth, is skydiving and scuba diving the Great Barrier Reef, in a shark cage. Until I have the opportunity to do them, racing will be the thing for me. The only drawback to going this weekend, is that it's the final race of the season (go #48,Jimmy Johnson) and withdrawal symptoms will kick in next weekend, until February, and then it's Daytona. Well. thank God for football, it will see me through until then.
Well, farewell, Big Church, I hope your weekend is as exciting as mine will be! See you on Monday!
God bless you all!
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Bloggers, What Does Love Have To Do With It?
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Nov 13, 2007 3:59 am
Mood: Full of His Love!,
1212 Views
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Love has EVERYTHING to do with it!
No, it's not a song made famous by Tina Turner, but it's a Biblical mandate for our lives.
The world is seeking, craving, and desiring love, because love is the energy of life, it gives our life a purpose and meaning. Love is what motivates people to get up each day and strive to do what is right. I believe that love is the single-most characteristic of God, and I think that love is the most important thing to God. This is what Jesus said:
I give you a new commandment, that you should love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too should love one another. By this, will all men know that you are my Disciples, if you have love one for another, if you keep on showing love among yourselves.
John 13:34, 35 AMP
Love is the trademark and characterisitic of Christians. Jesus said that all men would know we are His followers, by the love that is displayed in our lives. The apostle Paul said:
.....faith, hope, and love abide.....but the greatest of these, is love.
I Corinthians 13:3
The GREATEST of these? More important than faith? More important than hope? Are you convinced of the importance of love yet? If not, consider this:
May Christ dwell in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love.
That you may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints, the experience of that love.
That you may really come to know, through experience for yourselves, the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge without experience, that you may be filled unto all fullness of God.
Ephesians 3:17-19
Paul prayed this for the church because he wanted them to REALLY know the love of God by their experience, and not by mere intellect. In all of Paul's wisdom and insight into spiritual things, he knew that a revelation of God's love was imperative to each person's life, because without it, nothing would go properly.
Our faith will not work without love, read this:
For, if we are in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith activated and energized and working, through love.
Galatians 5:6
We are taught that faith is the pinnacle of Christian virtues, it is not possible to please God without it. This scripture says that faith works by love. How can we ask God to answer our prayers and have faith that He will do so, if we are mistreating others? (See I John 3:18-23)
It doesn't matter what gifts, talents, and knowledge we possess, without love, it is all futile. Read this:
If I speak in the tongues of men and even angels, but have not love, I am only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
And if I have prophetic powers and understand all the secret truths and mysteries and possess all knowledge, and if I have faith so that I can remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing, a useless nobody.
Even if I dole out all I have and if I surrender my body to be burned or in order that I may glory, but have not love, I gain nothing.
I Corinthians 13:1-3
This is strong language, but hopefully, it gets your attention. There are many who think that they are really something special because of their vast knowledge, but according to the Word of God, they are NOTHING, unless love is their motive and priority.
.....we should not deceive ourselves into thinking that we love God, while we hate others.
I John 4:20
Fellow bloggers, varying opinions and beliefs, concerning doctrine and interpretation, is inevitable. Each of us differ in our viewpoints. But, when the viewpoints are presented with strife and contention, refuse to accept them. The method of forcefully shoving a belief down one's throat, is rarely persuasive and does little to change someone's thinking. And when we vehemently protest the doctrines we do not agree with, we should not return an evil word with an evil word, but instead, return our opinion with love.
A couple of wise scriptures in Proverbs say: A soft word spoken, turns away wrath and Being kind and good to your enemies is like heaping hot coals of fire upon their heads.
Would you allow the fruit of love to be made complete in you? Are we not here to be a blessing and encouragement, to be edifying to one another, through the grace of God's love? Or, are we here to cultivate our own agenda? For me, it is the former and not the latter. It's as simple as making a choice, choose to walk in love, forgive easily, and pray for one another, in EVERY need.
That, is the will of God, for all of us.
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And Justice For All?
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Nov 7, 2007 10:42 am
Mood: sympathetic,
1054 Views
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Does Justice Exist, In Your Life or in the World?
In a word, NOT!
Justice is the use of authority or power to uphold what is right or just or lawful; the administration of law or court or power to cause a wrongdoer to be tried and duly punished.
Justice corrects what is wrong, it embraces all and is inclusive. Justice inspires others and gives hope to all suffering injustice. Justice reaches the disenfranchised, the hopeless, and the innocent victims.
Most of us have been victim to some form of injustice, in our own personal lives, whether it be crimes of violence or theft, undo hardship at the hands of others, discrimination, poverty, illness, or disasters, natural or otherwise. Injustice occurs, on a daily basis, in our communities, and all across the world. Just watch the news, read a newspaper, or listen to a missionary. Injustice is prevalent in our day and time, but has been going on since the beginning of recorded time, from the Jews captivity and slavery, to Jesus Christ being unjustly nailed to a cross.
Most religions acknowledge and address justice in some way. The Catholic New Advent Encyclopedia has this to say: "Justice is here taken in it's ordinary and proper sense, to signify the MOST important of the cardinal virtues. It is a moral quality or habit which perfects the will and inclines it to render to each and to all, what belongs to them."
Here are some scriptures to give us an understanding of how God feels about justice:
To DO righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.....Proverbs 21:3
Thus says the Lord: KEEP justice, do and use righteousness, for My salvation is soon to come and My rightness and justice to be revealed.....Isaiah 56:1
He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord REQUIRE of you but to DO justly, and to love kindness and mercy, and to humble yourself and walk humbly with your God?.....Micah 6:8
(Speaking of God) Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; mercy and lovingkindness and truth go before Your face.....Psalm 89:14
DO justice to the weak, poor, and the fatherless; maintain the rights of the afflicted and the needy.....Psalm 82:3
If you see the oppression of the poor, and the violent taking away of justice and righteousness in the state or province, do not marvel at the matter. BE SURE that there are those who will attend to it.....Ecclesiastes 5:8
Most of these scriptures indicate to me that there is a part that we are supposed to do, to right the wrongs of injustice. It was injustice that compelled Jesus to the cross. He stepped into humanity's desperation; stood for what was right; healed the sick and lifted the oppressed. Wherever there was injustice, Jesus responded. I think we are called to do the same. Injustice demands our response. We should be indignant in the face of injustice. We should be compelled by the love of Christ to make a difference. We should be committed to stand up, speak out, and correct what is wrong. Finally, we should be motivated by compassion, for all suffering injustice.
Justice cannot be reduced to a project, a protest, or a crusade. Justice is a heart. Justice isn't a political issue-it's a spiritual issue. For every Christian, it should be impossible to ignore. Our hearts of compassion should break for the poor and the oppressed. Dare we ask ourselves, at the sight of injustice, what would Jesus do? What will you do? There is a role that we can all play, each one of us, individually, to address and correct injustice.
I will end this post with a few interesting quotes, from famous people, about justice, for your contemplation:
Aristotle
Moral excellence comes about as a result of habit. We become just by DOING just acts, temperate by doing temporate acts, brave, by doing brave acts.
Earl Warren
It is the spirit and not the form of law that keeps justice alive.
Martin Luther King, Jr
Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.
Edmund Burke
The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing.
Finally, this is posted at the Holocaust Museum, in Washington DC
Thou shalt not be a victim. Thou shalt not be a perpetrator. Above all, thou shalt not be a bystander.
Will you pray today about the role you should play in righting the wrongs in your little part of the world? Or will you continue to do nothing, in apathy?
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Thanking God for Big Church today!
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Nov 6, 2007 5:53 am
Mood: Grateful!,
1100 Views
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What are you grateful for today?
In my prayer last night, before sleeping, I asked God to give me a gift for my birthday today. Now, I know that sounds selfish, but circumstances lately haven't been condusive to celebrating, in any way. The gift I asked for was a spiritual blessing, and God, in His lovingkindness, answered that prayer first thing this morning. My study today was in the book of Romans, Chapter 12, and He gave me the most awesome revelation!
Beginning in Romans 12:4
For as in one physical body we have many parts, organs, and members, and all of these parts do not have the same function or use; So we, numerous as we are, are ONE body in Christ and individually, we are parts one of another, mutually dependent on one another.
Having gifts, faculties, talents, and qualities that differ, according to the grace given us, let us use them. He whose gift is prophecy, let him prophesy, according to the proportion of his faith.
He whose gift is practical service, let him give himself to serving; he who teaches, to his teaching.
He who exorts and encourages, to his exortation; he who contributes, let him do it in simplicity and liberality; he who gives aid and superintends, with zeal and singleness of mind; he who does acts of mercy, with genuine cheerfulness and joyful eagerness.
After reading these scriptures, which, incidentally, I have read a dozen times before, I received such an impartation of the will and purpose of God, in each of our individual lives, as one corporate body.
Immediately, my thoughts went to Big Church, and how in the 6 short months I have been here, I have met so many wonderful believers, with a heart for the Lord. And each of you, with specific talents and abilities, that contribute to the edification of His body, the church. How amazing is it that God could orchestrate the details so perfectly, that led each of us to this site and the many blessings that can be found here?
Today, I am so grateful for Big Church and each of you, that so freely give of your God-given talents and abilities, for the betterment of His body. I pray today and every day, that this site accomplishes all that God intends, all for the glory of Jesus! Amen and Amen
Thank you, every member, and have a blessed day, I know I will!
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The Joy of the Lord IS My Strength!
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Nov 4, 2007 7:24 pm
Mood: grateful,
1183 Views
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The Joy of the Lord Is My Strength!
Most of us are familiar with this scripture, but do we really understand the importance of joy? If our joy is truly our strength, and we lose it, what happens? We become weak, not necessarily physically or mentally, although they can be manifestations of our weakness, we become weak spiritually. When we are weak spiritually, our enemy comes against us the strongest.
There are many times, during our every day, that we have brief interludes with losing our joy. Getting stuck in traffic, running late for an appointment, when our kids misbehave, having to deal with a grouchy boss or co-worker, these are all common to us all, and are usually easy to overcome with a prayer, quoting scripture, or simply reminding ourselves of the things that we know and believe.
But, during the times in our lives that we experience traumatic events, such as death, divorce, illness, or financial loss, it is then that we are at our weakest. Prolonged loss of joy leads to doubt, discouragement, and depression. That's where I have been dwelling for the last 10 days or so, it's a very dark and hopeless place to be. But, through seeking God's mercy, staying in His Word, and unashamedly asking for prayer, I have gradually felt my joy, peace, and strength begin to return today. I wish to acknowledge all of you who prayed for me, and convey to you my heartfelt appreciation. I felt all of your prayers, our Gracious and Loving Father answered them all, as He lifted me out of the pit of despair. Thank you so very much and please know that I am praying for God's richest blessings for each of you. Am I completely healed from the losses I have suffered? No, but the Holy Spirit, continued prayer, and time, will heal all wounds.
Tuesday is my 51st birthday, and I made a decision, for the first time in my life, that there would be no celebration. I informed my family and friends not to make any plans. But, a comment made on my blog, "OK God, ENOUGH Is ENOUGH!" (thank you BB!) really had an affect on me. He said "Don't let the enemy enjoy your suffering. Reverse it, to be Glory to God". That really made me think, and I realized that, in giving up my joy and suffering alone, there was no glory to Jesus. But, in my victory over the pain, I can and will give Him all the praise and glory! Thank you God for every blessing and thank you to all of you, for your prayers and compassion.
On Tuesday, I will be celebrating Jesus, and every sacrifice He made so that I could have life, and have it in abundance, to the full, until it overflows!
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OK God, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!!
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Nov 3, 2007 9:23 am
Mood: Dazed and Confused,
1210 Views
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Most Gracious and Loving Father,
I come before you today, broken and full of sorrow. Your word says "I will not allow more to come on you than what you are able to bear." But, this time, you have pushed it to the very limit, am tinkering on the edge. The jar which contains my tears, is overflowing and I can find no more to shed. It seems the closer I draw to You, the more intense the fiery darts of my enemy. First, a week ago, I discover that the man that I thought loved me, was full of deception and betrayal. I did all I knew to do that was right, I forgave him, continued to ask for your blessings upon him, kept myself in Your Word in in prayer, lifting up my needs and the needs of others. Then, yesterday, I took my beloved dog, Cutie, to the vet for a routine teeth cleaning, only to receive a call that she was dead, for no apparent reason. My last physical, tangible expression of joy in my life, as she greeted me with unconditional love and that look that said "I missed you" everyday as I returned home. Now, my house is empty and silent, and I keep waiting for her to jump in my lap. Then, just when I thought I could take no more, I went outside this morning, only to find that someone has smashed the window of my new car, I haven't even had it for a month. Now police reports and repair bills, what more can I endure? Don't you know that my name is not Job? Oh Father, I have cried out your name literally hundreds of times this week, and I cannot hear you. Where are you? Your Word says "No weapon formed against me shall prosper", but just look! I don't understand, is this a test? And, if so, will I pass? Or is it some punishment for something I have done in my past? Are you allowing these things to draw me closer to You? I could sure think of other ways to accomplish that! So many questions, without answers. Nevertheless, I will trust You. Regardless of my circumstances, I know that "I walk by faith, and not by sight." I know that You can "turn it all around, and make it for my good." I will practice all that I've preached in my blogs about what You can do with my pain. I will rejoice in You always, for good, whether apparent, or not. "Greater is He that is within me, than he that is in the world." I understand that it is now, that You are carrying me, only one set of footprints in the sand. I know that You "will exalt me, in due time." I will continue to "Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, and His mercy and lovingkindness endures forever". Show me Your mercy now, as I need it, strengthen me with Your victorious right hand, and fill me with the peace that passes understanding. I believe in Your Word and pray that You will use my pain, to bring glory to Jesus, and I ask it in His name, Amen
And, for any of you so inclined, I covet your prayers.
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All Ladies on BC-BEWARE!!!
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Oct 31, 2007 6:54 pm
Mood: Cautious,
1393 Views
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ALL LADIES BEWARE!!! THERE ARE ENEMIES ON THIS SITE, ROAMING AROUND LIKE ROARING LIONS, SEEKING WHOM THEY MAY DEVOUR!!!
I just got an email from a scammer, identical to the last one I received, a couple of months ago, WORD FOR WORD!! If you get an email saying how beautiful you are, how God created you for him, how if he sent your picture to heaven, all the angels would be ashamed, BEWARE! HE IS NOT REAL!
Oh yes, his photo is gorgeous, and poor thing, he is widowed (how original), dont fall for it! If you try to get to know him, you'll find out he's not even in the US, as he claims to be. You would think they would at least change the words in their email a little, so as not to be recognized.
Please, I implore you, for your own safety, verify everyone! Please read my blog "Deception" and all the comments and advice from other long-time BC members, dont be deceived by these men. If they fall in love with you quickly, want you to IM right away, tell you all the sweet words you long to hear, BEWARE!!!
I rebuke the deceivers who come here, preying on the vulnerable, in the mighty name of Jesus Christ! I pray that I can save just one woman from what I have experienced from these scammers.
May our gracious and loving Father bless you with wisdom and discernment!
Terrie
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SAINTS, PROTECT YOURSELVES!!!
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Oct 31, 2007 7:11 am
Mood: VICTORIOUS!!!,
1085 Views
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We have weapons at our disposal, to have the victory over every circumstance!!
After reading some blogs this morning, I came across "Bayonetts" by Aslan17, and was stirred in my spirit. That led my study to the book of Ephesians, and was reminded, once again, that we have weapons of warfare, available to us for the battles that we fight on a daily basis. So often, we criticize and condemn the people in our life and in the world, who we believe to be sinful and evil. But Ephesians 6:12 tells us that we DO NOT fight against flesh and blood, but against powers and spirits. They just work through people. We have safety, protection, and power against those spirits, if we will only use them. Please read and meditate on the following scriptures, beginning in Ephesians 6:10
In conclusion, be strong in the Lord, be empowered through your union with Him; draw your strength from Him, that strength which His boundless might provides.
PUT ON God's whole armor, the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies, that you may be able successfully to stand up against all the strategies and deceits of the devil.
For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood, contending only with physical opponents, but against the despotisms, against the powers, against the master spirits, who are the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly, supernatural sphere.
Therefore, put on God's complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day of danger, and, having done all the crisis demands, to stand firmly in your place.
Stand, therefore, hold your ground, having tightened the belt of truth around your loins and having the breastplate of integrity and of moral rectitude and right standing with God.
And having shod your feet in preparation to face the enemy with the firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness, produced by the Gospel of peace.
Lift up over all the covering shield of saving faith, upon which you can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked one.
And take the helmet of salvation and the sword that the Spirit wields, which is the Word of God.
Pray at all times, on every occasion, in every season, in the Spirit, with all manner of prayer and entreaty. To that end, keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceeding in behalf of all the saints, God's consecrated people.
HALLELUJAH!!!
I don't know about you, but that strengthens my spirit and encourages me, BIG TIME! To know that we have been given such power against all the trials we may face, all the evil that comes against us, whether in word or deed. And, did you notice that for all of the armor mentioned, there is nothing for our backside? How interesting! To me, this implies that we are never to turn and run from the things that come against us, but to face them head-on. But, having all of this power won't do us a bit of good, unless we utilize it. How do we do this? First, we must believe it and receive it. Secondly, I think we must "put it on", every day, just as we put on our clothes. To verbally put them on and speak these weapons over our every day battles.
I am so grateful for BC and pray God's glory to be manifested here. I pray also for the needs of every member. But, only you can walk in the power that has been given you. I pray that you receive it and put it on.
May each of you receive the answers to your prayers, the desires of your hearts, and all the protection that God has given to you, in Jesus mighty and powerful name! Amen and Amen
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What do we do with our pain? Part 2
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Oct 30, 2007 6:37 am
Mood: Blessed beyond measure!,
1141 Views
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Every trial is an opportunity!
What an awesome God we serve! Every day, I am reminded of His goodness and mercy. I am constantly amazed by His purpose and His will. He certainly DOES use the foolish things and people in this life, to confound the wise. What the enemy means for our harm, God will turn around and make for our good, and for the good of someone else.
What does God do with our pain?
Never, in a million years, could I have imagined that God would take the most painful experiences in my life, rape, drug abuse, homelessness, attempted suicide, physical abuse, 3 abortions, and losing a sister to AIDS, and turn them around for my good, and for the benefit and edification of others. But, that's exactly what He did.
Through the pain of enduring these trials, God created in me, a heart of empathy and compassion for others going through similar circumstances. In 2005, I set up a non profit organization called After the Rain, and dedicated it to the glory of Jesus. Since then, I have witnessed the miracle working power of God, transform the lives of over 200 women. Not only has He given them beauty for their ashes, but He has used their tests, to become their testimonies, and their mess to become their ministries. In their healing and restoration, I have seen them plant seeds in the lives of others, to give back, what has been so graciously given to them. What a ripple effect! Who will ever know how many lives have been and will be touched for His glory?
How will YOU allow God to use your pain?
In reading the blogs here for months now, I am keenly aware that many are hurting. But I admonish and encourage each of you to remain faithful and patient, for your miracle is on the way! Jesus sacrificed His life for your victory and abundant life. And maybe, just maybe, if you are willing, your pain could be the seed to affect the broken, hopeless lives of others.
Are you willing?
I pray that you are, because it has blessed me, beyond words to describe, how God used my pain to profoundly impact the lives of hurting people. And I know that I know, He can and will do the same for you, because He is no respector of persons.
May you be blessed in your willingness!
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